Ratha Yatra begins today

Ratha Yatra, the chariot festival of Sri Jagannath Dev and one of the major festivals of the Hindu community, will begins today. The festival will come to an end with Ulto Ratha Yatra (reverse journey) on July 3.
In observance of the festival, different religious bodies and temple committees have drawn up various programmes. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON) has chalked out a nine-day programme in Dhaka, reports BSS.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted members of the Hindu community on the occasion of Ratha Yatra.
In separate messages on the eve of the religious festival, they wished all success of all programmes.
The programmes of the festival begins in the morning with rendering of Harisangkirtan, holding of Agnihotra Jagna seeking world peace and people’s welfare, recitation of verses from Srimat Bhagabat Geeta, distribution of mohaprosad, discussion, rendition of padaboli kirtan and arati,
cultural function, staging of religious drama and screening of religious films.
The programmes of the ISKON at Swamibag in Dhaka starts with holding of Agnihotra Jagna seeking divine blessings for world peace and people’s welfare.
In the afternoon, a discussion will be organised on its premises. Later in the afternoon, a colourful procession will be brought out from Swamibagh setting images of Sri Jagannath Dev, his brother Sri Balaram and sister Srimati Subhadra on three largely build Rathas (chariots).
Then the devotees will pull the ropes of the chariots through Tikatuli, Ittefak intersection, Shapla Chattar, Dainik Bangla, Purana Paltan intersection, National Press Club, High Court crossing, Doel Square, Dhaka University TSC, Jagannath Hall, Palashi Crossing and rounded up the Ratha Yatra on the premises of the Dhakeswari National Temple.
Besides, the Rathjatra festival will also be celebrated at Ramseeta Mandir on Joikali Mandir Road, at Shankharibazar and Jagannath
Jeo Mandir at Tantibazar in
old city and other places across the country.